Whyte Ridge parish feeding stomachs along with souls

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This article was published 19/08/2024 (416 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

At St. Gianna Beretta Molla Parish in Whyte Ridge, they don’t only want to meet the spiritual hunger of people in Winnipeg — they want to provide food for their physical hunger, too.

That’s the thinking behind the parish’s garden, which is in its first year of providing fresh produce for five local charities in the city.

“It’s a way to share our blessings with those in need,” said Rod Cantiveros, one of about 30 members of the parish looking after the garden.

“Inside the church, we can address spiritual needs. Through the garden, we can help feed those who are hungry,” he said.

Called the St. Gianna Harvest Ministry, the garden is located on the grounds of the church, where members planted, weeded and watered the plants. Now they are harvesting and distributing fresh vegetables to Missionaries of Charity, Bear Clan, Willow Place, House of Hesed and Bruce Oake Recovery Centre.

As well, other members of the congregation are taking produce from their home gardens to church for donating to charities.

“It’s a collaborative effort,” said Cantiveros, 82, and co-founder, with his wife, of the Filipino Journal. “It’s a beautiful project that brings body and soul together.”

Cantiveros loves gardening, so it’s also a form of therapy for him.

“Whether I am planting, weeding or pruning, it’s so calming,” he said. “Since I live nearby, I often stop by to see how the garden is doing.”

Rachel Suarez-Banmann is responsible for faith formation at St. Gianna’s. The garden project is an extension of her work.

“It’s a way for people to deepen and express their faith through action and being part of our mission to serve people in need,” she said.

Along with that, it’s a way to build community, said Rev. Darrin Gurr, the pastor at St. Gianna.

“Coming out of the pandemic, it’s been a way to bring people together in a natural way,” he said. “It was easy to pull it together and make it happen.”

It’s also an important service at a time when food prices are high and charities that support people in need are feeling the pinch of increased costs, he said.

With the first year of garden a success, Gurr said the church will continue the effort.

“We have the space on our property,” he said. “I hope that next year we can double our efforts. It’s all part of the overall mission of our church.”

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